Thursday, September 18, 2008

BOTTOM LINE: Howdeeeeeee! She's back from the dead to try her hand at showtunes. Minnie Pearl Does Broadway might be the most fun you can have on 46th Street.

Minnie Pearl, the legendary Hee-Haw star, country singer and stand-up comedian is back on Earth (embodied by Mark Alan Jones) for an evening of Broadway standards. You see, when Don't Tell Mama cabaret has a performer cancel, Minnie graciously offers to come down from Heaven and fill-in, as she's always had a hankerin' for showtunes. Joining her onstage is her cantankerous yet harmonic Uncle Nabob (Darron Cardosa).

Minnie is "jest so proud to be here" as she happily performs her audience-participatory act for you. Her set list includes the gems Razzle Dazzle (Chicago), I Can't Say No (Oklahoma), Nothing (A Chorus Line), and Ease on Down the Road (The Wiz), just to name a few. You'll also get some personal anecdotes, jokes, and a question and answer session. And if you're lucky, you might even win a door prize.

Minnie Pearl Does Broadway is tounge-in-cheek cabaret at its finest with talented performers to carry it through. Jones has a great voice, making you think Minnie should've canned Nashville and headed straight for New York in the first place. And the song list is upbeat and energetic; its hard to be in a bad mood when Minnie's belting. Cardosa, as Uncle Nabob, is the perfect sidekick.

If you like cabaret, especially of the gender-bending, touch-of-country, ironically comedic fashion, then this show is certainly for you. It's a great time with a great energy. Hopefully Minnie Pearl Does Broadway will secure a weekly gig, but for now you can check back here at Theatre Is Easy for updates and performance times.

(You can catch Minnie Pearl Does Broadway next on October 6th at 7pm at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues). There is a $12 cover and a two drink minimum.)